Family Resources
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES:
- AASD School Nurse Website
- Blair County Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) - The LICC is a state-mandated organization made up of Parents and local Early Childhood agencies that works together to assist families of young children with disabilities and special needs.
Raising Blair - A local Facebook support group for families of young children with disabilities in Blair County. Send a friend request to Raising Blair through Facebook.
PA Keys - The Pennsylvania Early Learning Keys to Quality, sponsored by the Department of Public Welfare's Office of Child Development and Early Learning, is a quality improvement program in which all early learning programs and practitioners are encouraged and supported to improve child outcomes.
The Keys website includes the following:
~ Information through the Keystone Stars program about high quality child care programming.
~Information on The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). OCDEL is the governing body that oversees Preschool Early Intervention services.
Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania -Facilitates links between families of children with disabilities for support purposes. Services are free and confidential.
Blair County Head Start/Child Advocates of Blair County - Provides Head Start programming for Blair County.
The Ounce of Prevention - Non-profit dedicated to promoting quality early childhood experiences in the crucial first five years of life. Watch their video "Change the First Five Years and You Change Everything".
The National Institute for Early Education Research has a new Fast Facts Summary entitled:
Getting the Facts Right on Pre-K and the President's Pre-K Proposal that details the log-term effects that preschool education has on our children. Click below to view the Summary or here to read more.
PA Department of Education Early Intervention Information
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/early_intervention/8710
While all children grow and develop in unique ways, some children experience delays in their development. Children in Pennsylvania with developmental delays and disabilities benefit from a state supported collaboration among parents, service practitioners and others who work with young children needing special services. The Pennsylvania Early Intervention program provides support and services to families with children birth to age 5 with developmental delays and disabilities. Early Intervention builds upon the natural learning opportunities that occur within the daily routines of a child and their family.
Rehabilitation-Based Services
Children may be able to receive additional therapy services in a medically based rehabilitative setting. These types of services are available through agencies such as Easter Seals of Central Pa, HealthSouth, or Altoona Regional Health Systems. If a child qualifies, rehabilitative services may address any deficit in skills and services are typically billed to a patient's insurance or Medical Access card. Parents may seek out rehabilitative services at their own discretion.
The following agencies provide rehabilitation-based therapy services:
~We Care
~Kids First Affiliated Services
Dreams Go On - Therapeutic horseback riding program in Blair Co.
Look Of Eagles - Therapeutic horseback riding program in Blair Co.
Activities for Families in Blair Co.
Miracle League - The Miracle League provides a baseball league for all children with special needs.
The Arc of Blair County - The Arc of Blair County is a local organization serving individuals with intellectual, cognitive or developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc of Blair County provides support through advocacy, education and socialization. The Arc offers resources and materials to guide individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
The Family Resource Center of Blair County - The Family Resource Center helps families ensure positive educational, social and health outcomes for their children, advocates with families for community-based, collaborative social services that are responsive, supportive, and preventive; and provides a place for families to meet, learn, play and connect with others.